“The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) strongly objected to the Odisha government’s decision to allow Vana Suraksha Samities (VSS) to avail community forest rights (CFR) under the Forest Rights Act. The last State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) under the FRA had decided that the VSS, nurtured by the Forest and Environment Department over the years, where there are no conflicts with the Gram Sabha in sustainable management of the forest resources may be identified so that CFR can be given under FRA.The SLMC had taken the decision knowing well that as per MoTA guidelines the VSS are not eligible for availing the CFR under FRA.” The Hindu